Method and device for an automated seasoning of food

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to (i) a method for preparing a food with a food preparation apparatus and (ii) an electrically operable spice dispensing device for performing the method. The food preparation apparatus has a food preparation space. The spice dispensing device comprises a spice chamber for storing a spice and a dosing device through which a spice can be removed from the spice chamber in a dosed manner. Even without expert knowledge, the present disclosure enables seasoning without any errors during the preparation of a food.

1 . A method for preparing a food with a food preparation apparatus and an electrically operable spice dispensing device, wherein the food preparation apparatus has a food preparation space and the spice dispensing device comprises a spice chamber for storing a spice and a dosing device through which a spice can be removed from the spice chamber in a dosed manner, comprising the steps:
 preparing a food in the food preparation space of the food preparation apparatus as the food preparation apparatus is controlled by a control unit according to recipe steps of a recipe, wherein the recipe comprises a spice recipe step according to which a spice is to be added,   triggering a signal device controlled by the control unit, when the spice recipe step is reached,   grasping the spice dispensing device and bringing the spice dispensing device to the food preparation space in such a way that a spice from the spice dispensing device can be dispensed into one of the food preparation space and a measuring vessel, and   dispensing the amount of spice to be added according to the spice recipe step in a dosed manner from the spice dispensing device if the spice dispensing device has been brought to one of the food preparation space and the measuring vessel, wherein the dosing has been performed in an automated manner by the dosing device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spice dispensing device comprises a plurality of spice chambers and a spice is stored in each spice chamber, wherein a spice in one spice chamber is different from a spice in another spice chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein according to the spice recipe step a plurality of spices are to be added and the spice dispensing device dispenses the spices to be added according to the spice recipe step in a dosed manner in the form of a spice mixture, wherein the dosing of each spice has been performed in an automated manner by the dosing device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the control unit is integrated in the food preparation apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the food preparation apparatus sends control commands of the control unit wirelessly to the spice dispensing device, and the spice dispensing device is thereby caused to dose a spice. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the spice dispensing device comprises the signal device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is integrated in the food preparation apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spice dispensing device comprises the signal device. 
     
     
         9 . An electrically operable, at least partially handheld spice dispensing device for dispensing into a food preparation device an amount of spice to be added defined by a spice recipe step in a dosed manner, the spice dispensing device comprising
 a spice chamber in which a spice can be stored,   a dosing device which can dose spice stored in the spice chamber in an automated manner, and   a dispensing device with which the dosed amount of spice can be dispensed into a food.   
     
     
         10 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 9 , further comprising an actuating device, the actuation of which has the effect that an amount of spice dosed by the dosing device can be dispensed by the dispensing device. 
     
     
         11 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 9 , further comprising a detection device with which it can be determined that the spice dispensing device is located above a food preparation space, and said spice dispensing device is configured such that said dispensing device dispenses an amount of spice dosed by said dosing device when it is determined by means of said detection device that said spice dispensing device is located above a food preparation space. 
     
     
         12 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 11 , further comprising a wireless interface is provided for receiving and/or sending data. 
     
     
         13 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 12 , further comprising a signal device which can be caused to emit a signal in response to receipt of data via the wireless interface. 
     
     
         14 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 13 , wherein the signal device is at least one of an optical signal device and an acoustic signal device. 
     
     
         15 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 14 , wherein the dosing device can be caused to remove a spice from the spice chamber in a dosed manner by receiving data via the wireless interface. 
     
     
         16 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 15 , wherein a plurality of spice chambers is provided for storing different spices and the dosing device can dose spice from each spice chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 16 , wherein the dispensing device is configured such that it can dispense a plurality of different spices, which have been dosed by the dosing device, as a spice mixture. 
     
     
         18 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 9 , further comprising a wireless interface is provided for receiving and/or sending data. 
     
     
         19 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 18 , further comprising a signal device which can be caused to emit a signal in response to receipt of data via the wireless interface. 
     
     
         20 . The spice dispensing device of  claim 19 , wherein the signal device is at least one of an optical signal device and an acoustic signal device.